Openreach have begun the national project to switch off the UK’s Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN). It’s long term project which will be complete by 2025.
This means that communications providers across the country are currently upgrading all their customers to a fully digital phone service – known as “all IP”. By 2025, all existing analogue phone services will be upgraded to an enhanced IP service.
Do you currently plug into an existing telephone socket in the wall? If you do, the PSTN switch off will affect you.
It will affect anyone who’s security system relies on a telephone line to send intruder signals. Telephone lines will become obsolete within the next 4 years, so the monitoring will no longer work. Some providers in certain areas are further ahead with their roll out, whereas others may not see the change affecting them until 2025. In all cases both home and business owners need to be aware of the changes that are coming and the actions they need to take to ensure continuity of their alarm monitoring.
The PSTN Switch Off: What you need to do
If your intruder alarm currently relies on a telephone line for it’s monitoring, there are a number of things you can do.
Firstly, speak to your security company. At Keybury, we are helping their customers prepare for the switch over. Whilst many installers might be putting this off until 2025, trials have already begun and many are opting to make the switch sooner rather than later. Waiting until your phone line is switched off could compromise your security and invalidate your insurance.
Some people are switching to new providers for better broadband deals. If you do this, you may not consider whether it is analogue or IP. Some people find that as they switch provider, they are inadvertently moving to an all-IP service. Once you switch, your alarm signalling will stop working, so it’s crucial to have an alternative method of monitoring in place.
There are a range of other monitoring options available. The end of the analogue phone lines doesn’t mean you have to give up your peace of mind.
If you’re concerned about how this will affect your intruder alarm monitoring, get in touch with us directly. We can offer you a number of options to ensure your uninterrupted peace of mind. The available options do vary depending on the type of monitoring you currently have on your system. Our team are ready to answer your questions and help provide you with the best monitoring to meet your requirements.
Complete our contact form and we’ll get in touch with more information. Alternatively, call us directly on 01535 661197.